AFCON viewing right: Shame of a nation

January 22, 2013 : Simeon Christian Chukwu

| credits: goal.com

After watching Cyril Stober and his panel of analysts at one of the weekly Tuesday-Live programmes on the Nigeria Television Authority, a friend who watched the programme simultaneously phoned me and asked rhetorically, “So, an average Nigerian won’t get to see live pictures from the 29th African Cup of Nations in South Africa on an indigenous television station – where Nigeria is a major force and participant?” Promptly, I replied him, “What more can you get in a land where absurdities thrive?”

But wait a minute! How on earth has the mighty fallen and descended to this ludicrous stage? By the way, who plunged Nigeria into this mess? These are questions, among others, that a majority of the people cannot answer with all modesty and honesty.

The 29th edition of the AFCON, apparently the biggest sporting event on the continent, is underway already with Nigeria in firm participation. But back home, an average Nigerian has been sardonically denied the opportunity to watch the Super Eagles take on other countries. No thanks to the failure of government and lackadaisical approach of some administrators who are just there for their hedonistic benefit and pecuniary affluence.

It is a known fact that football is the common language every Nigerian speaks and it’s apparently the only unifying factor in the Nigerian system. An average septuagenarian can easily recall the names of some footballers but may never know the head of the Nigerian Sports Commission or even the Deputy President of the Senate.

Having listened to several analyses on why Nigerians won’t get to watch their darling Super Eagles and the entire Nations Cup via their preferred indigenous television stations, I came to the surreptitious conclusion that they were all saying the same thing with different mouths and from different perspectives. The bottom line is, Nigerians are not watching the Nations Cup live from their terrestrial stations. Smacks of crass lugubriousity!

The reasons postulated were that the Confederation of African Football solely handed over the televising right to a company in South Africa (SportsFive) which is expected to link up with other participating or interested countries for expansive transmission worldwide. The company was reported to have demanded six million Euros from their Nigerian counterparts through the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, before they’ll grant them the indulgence to beam the soccer fiesta live on terrestrial stations. BON was said to have negotiated the “astronomic” price to 3million Euros but the company insisted and stood their ground. The administrators too couldn’t shift their ground as well, so it became a battle between two elephants and at the end of the day the grass (the average Nigerian) bears the brunt. In one of the fora, the question raised by an analyst was that, “how can the same company charge Ghana 1.5 million Euros and then ask Nigeria to pay 6million Euros?” This question is not just sick in content but also warped in comparison! How can anybody be thinking of Ghana whose population is not even up to the population of Lagos state alone (with all due respect) and comparing it to a country with a staggering population of 160million?

The fact is, Nigeria is a strategic market for any investor or market to thrive. There’s simply no logic they can tender to Nigerians for not beaming the competition live to Nigerians who don’t have easy access to DSTV – which obviously is the only remedy.

Furthermore, it is not just the brunt of high transmission charges that have thronged Nigerians into the state of utter bewilderment and profound frustration; our football administrators also didn’t deem it fit to put the right peg into the right hole at the right time. How can you go bidding for transmission rights a few weeks before the competition when others started queuing up immediately after the last edition in Angola? It is often said that “no man goes to the stream early and fetches dirty water”. It’s all a business affair. You don’t come late and expect the best of the deals! It is either you get crumbs or you’re plunged into a tight corner where you’d lose. It is not the businessmen in SportsFive that have brought pains to the Nigerian football-loving people rather it is the failure of government and its administrators! “Businessmen will forever remain son of bitch” as J.F. Kennedy was once quoted to have said. That’s why Roman Abrahamovich, the Chelsea FC of England owner could whimsically dismiss nine coaches in eight years for all he cares – it is business!

Sincerely, it is quite painful to see how the joy, support, passion and enthusiasm of an average Nigerian soccer faithful have been reduced to nothing. Coincidentally, as if the National Orientation Agency foresaw this imbroglio that it staged a campaign nationwide a day before the kickoff of the Nations Cup, with the theme “Do the right thing”. Our football administrators’ inability to do the right thing at the right time has brought another untold pains to Nigerians. “Tell it not in Gath and publish it not on the pages of Askeleon” that Nigerians are paying through their nose to catch a glimpse of a competition that is played on their own continental soil.

Do you know how much each public viewing centre rakes in from the sale of tickets for each match? Multiply it by the total number of matches (32). Sum them up nationwide and then tell me why six million Euros became a herculean task for the acclaimed giant of Africa? But a National Sports Commission secretary once told Nigerians last year January that they spent millions of naira to open a Facebook account for the commission. We are not all fools in this country!

What more can we ask from a nation where N28m could be spent to renovate 26 toilets? What more can we ask from a nation where football administrators just convene at the Glass House to collect allocations without doing the right thing at the right time? What more can we ask from a country where a mere Local Government Chairman has the capacity to single-handedly sponsor the Nations Cup from his profligate affluence? What more can we ask from a nation that parades itself as the giant of Africa? What more can we ask? And how much is much? By the way, the 2014 FIFA World Cup, I am told, is just by the corner.

•Chukwu, ex-editor-in-chief, Psychology Press Organisation, University of Ibadan, wrote in via xtianrooy@gmail.com 08025717782

Our best, most passionate and most present Naija team is still 1994 squad… They played hard all the time like they had something to prove.

NV Daramola

Broadcast rights? Well, there is a very simple way to beam the tournament to Nigerians live without broadcast rights. Simply navigate one satellite over S/African airspace and you can beam the matches in super high-definition straight to our homes (right?). I thought they said we now have 3 working satellites? Who needs ‘broadcast rights’ when we could watch our matches from space?

Deee

let us get the seminar through back door as you suggested for the live broadcast of the matches

Dom.

@Daramola:I hail you jare,you are authentic naija.

james

what a joke! the writer says: ‘It is a known fact that football is the common language every Nigerian speaks and it’s apparently the only unifying factor in the Nigerian system. An average septuagenarian can easily recall the names of some footballers but may never know the head of the Nigerian Sports Commission or even the Deputy President of the Senate.’ What do we gain from FOOTBALL, will it give us school, healthcare, good roads etc…… please lets forget all this comic relief and face real business.

sunbare

It is the same people that will turn around and accuse the government of being wasteful. This thing should be private driven and government should only be regulatory. Mr Simon Christain Chwukwu, dont blame BON for not wasting our money because with lawyers and agent fees, the money would have risen to 9 million Euros. God bless Nigeria!

Ben

Thank you for your observation.This has nothing to do with the government,it should be private sector driven.We cant keep blaming everything on government.The private sector will make money from showing the matches not the government.Just goes to show that nothing works in Naija,not even the private sector.Yet we keep heaping blames on politicians.

mine

Thats how nigeria is milked everywhere;actually we allowed it as a people and government, can you imagine that! 9MILLION EUROS from where? all the same probably we would have jerked it up to 900million euros trust us; Might be they are acting fronm antecedents!

isifine

Even under ABACHA Nigerians watched African cup of Nations, … but Jonathan is an achiever who is transforming Nigeria. According to OBJ I just dey laugh as my Niger Delta brothers will soon blaim it on IBB or the mis-rule of the north. GEL and his government never do any evil, instead we blaim it on the past leaders…

BANJO Stephen

It was once rumoured that Super sport wanted to site their Company in Nigeria but couldn’t due to FG high charges. If that rumour was true, then it is do me I do you man no go vess.
Why wasting money to watch the team that can not go far in a tournament? The same thing that brought Siasia down as coach is what Keshi did to south africa. Any player that can use both legs to play is a bonus to the team. The reason why Keshi did not call Odemwingie Osase is sentimenta and not in the interest of Nigeria football lover. Until they lose to drop out, our people will still be hoping they will perform. What they played yesterday was rubish. Nigeria should be 50 in Africa on FIFA ranking. You stuggle with team you should have defeated 5-0 and still belief you are africa giant. Drogba will have score us that 5 goals if it was Ivory coast that we meet yesterday.

Adekunle

Ghana paid Five hundred thousand dollars while SA the hosting nation. Paid 2million USD so l guess you are working for LC2 all your facts are wrong,

strategos

Plz SHUT yr mouth writer. Its not every thing one criticizes stpid.ly… BON is right

HERO

THANK GOD THAT WE DIDN’T WASTE THAT MONEY TO BRING THE MATCHES TO NIGERIANS.WITH WHAT KESHI AND HIS BOYS PLAYED THIS EVENING,I AN ENRAGED.I JUST WASTED MY MONEY BUYING PETROL TO WATCH THE CAGEYIEST GAME A NIGERIAN SIDE HAS EVER PLAYED.SHAME.

Agboola Oladele

what more can we ask from a nation that has her best police training camp in that deplorable condition, while the furniture allowance for senators and ministers worth billions of naira. what do you expect from a nation that can not generate constant power supply and construct/maintain good roads. what do you expect from a nation that cannot probe her corrupt ex-public office holders, while same people are pronounced guilty on the same allegations in another country (Ibori). A child kidnapped in reasonable countries or an accident has occurred that took life…presidents/leaders will rise and address press conference, has this ever happen in my country? what do you expect of a country that her leaders will travel outside borders for medical check-up. what do you expect of a country where we the followers aid corrupt practices….imaging yourself in a public bus and a policeman stop the bus to extort money, the driver has refuse to “settle”, thereby causing the police to delay the bus…wont you be the first person to shout on the driver; “oga driver settle dis man make we comot here, or, conductor give me my money make i go enter another bus”, leaving the driver to face the music.

Henry

Very well said.

HERO

WHY IS YOBO IN THAT TEAM AND WHY DID KESHI ALLOW AMBROSE TO CONTINUE PLAYING AFTER THE YELLOW CARD?GOD,WHAT A TEAM,WHAT A DEFENCE!

Bgbem

Why does it always have to be government, government all the time? If Euro 6 million was market value, there are zillions of private stations in Nigeria- let them buy it! And resell. It is business ko? A country without cancer center will be buying football for 6 million Euros. This writer has his priority wrong! Sports is the domain of private enterprise not government. We are capitalist country, enough of all these welfarism through which corruption will now thrive. There should be a law banning BON from even putting a bid next time; if you the writer think it is smart business why don’t you do the maths, create the investment plan and invest in it and see if any bank or private equity will bite? Yeye!

The Truthe Sayer

@Gbem, why do you guys just open your mouths and say utter bunkum all the time? BON is mandated by law to negotiate and sell rights to others if the management actually know what business is? Government is not doing this as a santa claus move but rather a business move. Should it even be a welfare move, what will you say about Obamacare and many more welfarist policies of America that is the father of capitalism? BON failed and the writer just nailed it with this article. Nonsense…………….

just

punch please stop all this nonsense, what is wrong with you, show us way out stop challeging get o.

http://italkso.com italkso.com

While quite agree with the writer that the people in the glass house are not proactive enough in negotiating with SportsFive before now, i respectfully disagree that BON should have paid the exorbitant fee of 6 million Euro.

Eddy

My writer, can you as analyst encourage ‘The government’ to pay 6 Million Euro for a match that is played in African soil, think right!

This is non sense. We should stop all these stupid sentiments. How can someone suggest we pay three times more than south africa. For what? We dont want to watch d match at that cost.

John

If the figure is indeed 6 million euros, that is around 1.2 billion naira. You may say they may make the money back from advertising and other endorsements, but I disagree. I’m tired of this South African exploitation of Nigeria. Sports Five can shove it somewhere the sun don’t shine. We will not die if we don’t watch the Nations Cup. You agree to something like that now and the exploitation keeps getting worse.
BON which is the association of all broadcast stations in Nigeria would have made a huge loss if they had paid that much.
I blame Frank Nweke for this mess; he singlehandedly increased the price for sports broadcast rights in Nigeria when he tried to use government power to favor HiTV in the Premier League rights debacle. HiTV started paying high fees in order to outbid DSTV and win the rights. Eventually they couldn’t sustain the high price and ran into heavy debt just like Setanta.
But now everyone looks at Nigeria as a gold mine for sports broadcasting especially football; they want their own piece of the pie

http://www.yahoo.com Philips

I don’t think we should waste

Act right

I Personally believe that this writer is ill informed or pretends not to know what LC2 and BON are negotiating,hence all your comments and criticisms against the government and people of NIGERIA is hereby overruled.look for another topic please,as u can see everyone is having a singular voice here!

Future Govnor

I don’t have detail of what actually happened that the local television stations in Nigeria would not beam the matches of ACON live, so am going to base my comment from what I read on the pages of Punch. I don’t agree with the writer that it is the responsibility of the government or government agency to foot the bill for televising the matches live. This should be the responsibility of a private company who then can recoup their investment with profit through advertisement. That is how it is done all over the world. The private company would not delve into this project if they are not sure of making profit out of it. Remember that unlike the league that is ten month of football, ACON is a very short competition and Super Eagle are only sure, as in certain to feature in only three games, which mean that the private company have only three games to recoup is cost and make profit because once Nigeria failed to advance to the next stage of the competition, revenue from advertisement would drop. The question is can a private company pay the 6 million Euro, make a profit out of it through sponsorship and advertisement within the short period of the nation cup? Remember football is now big business.

emmanuel

I think BON is trying to avoid setting a bad precedence occurring in future. If that money is paid,then Nigerians should be ready to pay €20b for d next viewing right! I think its time we stopped playing this big brother nonsense and do d right thing. Thumbs up BON.

Shola Elekan

Paying the fund is a waste of money, because super eagles can’t fly

Izu

Mr writer sorry to tell you this. You are sick upstairs. See a psychiatrist. You need help.

The BOSS

It is very unfortunate that Nigeria appears to be going down on every front. When I was growing up, watching AFCON on NTA was like a birth right. You don’t even think about it! Even in the dark days of military rule, watching the national team on the national TV was the rule.
This is another gift from the government to the people of Nigeria. In a country where the President feeds himself with almost one billion a year and the first lady’s kitchen gulps hundreds of millions for turn around maintenance every year, some people with lilliputian minds think denying more than 90% of Nigerians who are too impoverished to be able to afford a DSTV cable the right to watch their darling team is a good economic policy.

Who is deceiving who? This administration has never been known to be thrifty.

This has become a government for the rich and the privileged few even though the RULER himself was once a shoeless poor boy. What an irony!

Chriskurt

wat sort of birth right are you talking about?? if u should own a business, would u invest in a deal where the chances of making profit is very low?? come to think of it, are certian the super eagles of nigeria would qualify for the next round of the tournament?? pls. BON made the right decision… thumb up!!!

Dele Odugbemi

It shows that we do not have effective leadership at federal level but why should we pay so much higher that other African nations?
Our foreign policy is flawed in that we are not being accorded the respect we deserve from other African nations while we continue to play big brother to some troubled countries in Africa without being reciprocated after we must have invested millions of dollars and sent our troops to assist them. We need to bluff when is necessary and that what makes United States of America a country i admire.

PAT HENSON

WHY SHOULD NIGERIA PAY 4.5 MILLION DOLLARS AS AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA 2 MILLION, GHANA 1.2 MILLION DOLLARS AND BW 2MILLION DOLLARS AND 3MILLION DOLLARS MAXIMUM FOR OTHARS.
RIGHT OWNERS LC2 GO TO HELL WE ARE NOT WATCHING
AND THIS KESHI EAGLES CAN GIVE PEOPLE HYPERTHENSION PLUS 4.5 M

Wale

The write – Chukwu – is probably on the payroll of LC2. It is not compulsory for us to watch the match free to air when it is of no economic value to the organizations that should.market it and make a profitable business with it. Even for Nigeria at large, there is little or no economic value, if we must watch it, we will go to viewing centres. I am in full suppport of no payment of outrageous amount of money to LC2. In fact, no pay at all.

shola onibode

kudos to BON for doing the right thing, look at our boys playing like unprofessional on the field of play without any resemble of 94 squad they claim to be. The whole partcipating countries that had play are not better of either. Soccer in african continent is diminishing. Bon you have done the best no to waste our resourse

steve

This is a very bad report. A good reporter should present a balanced news to his readers. Why on earth should thesame right sold to neighbouring country for 1.5m Euro be sold to Nigeria for 5m Euro. During Commonwealth game, it was thesame trend because some Nigerians like this reporter want to join hands with foreigners to milk this Nigerian. We have so mant viewing centres in the country,people can pay and watch the match. For once, let us resist evil.

http://- JT

Thank God that amount was not payed though it could be in someones pocket but these eagles are wingless and hopeless.I hope they don’t meet Ivory coast or Ghana soon to prolong the day of disgrace!

paulochigozirim

Good comments to u all. It is high time we stop wasting money in dis country..nd channel it to something else. Kudos to Bon. South Africa is loosing bcos Nigeria has d market.

Deen

It’s a greate shame 2nigeria government who is capable of spendin 28m naira in just 26 toilet bt canot spent 6m euro for 160m people. Its a shame

PAT HENSON

@deen why not pay the 6m euros as private sector innitiative must GOVT be everything, football is biz and not ngo

Uchebest

I think Super Eagles commits fornication before that match..running up and down like a castrated he-goats..let FG channel the viewing right money on something meaningful..Eagles dont’ deserve it.

Enough of the bluffings guys.what do you call a nation of 160 million individuals unable to watch a football competition taking place in their very continent?a merry?or sth worth applauding?
This writer sat down and elaborately elucidate to us the nigeria bane,to inculcate the govt. To act towards it,yet,some of you,unleashed your numb fingers to type”the writer doesn’t know what he is writing”i think the problems nigeria has are conservatives like you guys,GOSH!!.Dont worry,one day, you won’t watch a tv broadcast in your house,then you will know that this imbroglio and state of quandry has passed beyond the neck.miscreants!!

dave

I ve said b4 dt biafra team has nothing to offer

WILLARD MUBVUMBI

I WATCHED THE GAME BTWN EAGLES AND THE STALLIONS, REALLY THIS IS NOT THE REAL SUPER EAGLES. We want the Yekinis, Amunikes, Amokachis, Babayaros etc. The youngsters should emulate the great Nigerian yester- year players.

Alti May

Thanks Nigerians for speaking with one voice on this issue.

Next time no one will attempt to milk us just because they think we have the money.

Thumbs up to BON!

succulence

this govt have noting to offer his or her citzen
I dont blame them because majority of them get DSTV but you have to consider lesser people……bad govt

daytee

If the FG paid GEJ haters would have been screaming even in the Punch especially giving us lists of more important projects

OPUS

If Government had paid the money, Punch Headline would have been “President Goodluck Jonathan Government paid $4.5M to air live matches in AFCON 2013 in the midst of abject poverty”

ET BABA

“six million Euros became a herculean task for the acclaimed giant of Africa? ”
YOU ARE AN AGENT OF CAF. HOW CAN SOUTH AFRICA PAY 2MIILION EUROS AND NIGERIA PAY 6MILLION EUROS. THE RIGHT OWNERS SAID NIGERIA MUST PAY BECAUSE THEY WILL LOBBY PEOPLE LIKE YOU TO DISTURB GOVERNMENT TO RELEASE THE MONEY. SHAME ON YOU, WE WON’T PAY

monkeyano

Thank God no money was paid! that Keshi led igbo squad would have succeeded in leading many poor nigerians to early graves because of the High Blood Pressure they will unleash on nigerians in all the matches they will play b4 their exit in the 1st round! that team holds no promise. only God knows how many poor lives have been saved from death because the matches will not be played on the free to air platforms!

http://Punchnigerianews.com James4st

I support Bon 4 nt paying de money. South Africa re looking 4 an avenue to exploit us and the nation. God bless Bon and Nigerians who stood their grounds against exploitation 4rm south africa.

Bola olasupo

Mr Ex-Editor, your write-up is devoid of logic. Empty in content. You have not given any logical reason to support your argument. You are a disgrace to the profession.

Timothy P

I watched the game and could not control my emotion as Burkina Faso bombarded Nigeria, particularly in the second half. In fact this is the worse Eagle match I have ever watched in my entrire life. Indeed we have no team and it will be a miracle if we get to the knockout stage. The team lacks cohesion and plays as if nothing was as stake. How has the might “fallen!” We need motivated players who are willing to play for pride and for the country. Period.

Austin, Toronto, Canada

Nigeria is a giant of nonsense. Did anyone watch the game between Burkina Faso and Nigeria yesterday? Absolute rubbish. Nigeria messed up big time few seconds to the end of the game.

Horseman

OMG, I think average Nigerians are loosing their sensitivity. All the time that we used to watch AFCON on local TVs, did we know the kind of transactions that took place between the affected quarters. Then it was the responsibility of the government to make sure that an average Nigerian get to watch the matches in the comfort of their homes. This is the first time this is happening. I am surprised that some people are justifying BON for not paying the money because of the below-average performance of Super Eagles, what if they had performed wonderfully against Burkina Faso, are we going to write such comments? Please, can somebody tell me what has not gone awry in this country?

@horseman you can go and pay, economics expoitation is worse than terrorism
before globacom come to our rescue south african mtn wanted to slaughter our people
WE ARE NOT PAYING PERIOD KUDOS TO BON
IMAGINE SOUTH AFRICAN DSTV MAKES EVERY BAR AND MAMAPUT JOINT TO PAY 10,000 . 00 TO WATCH PREMIERSHIP TIMES OUR POPULATION, , THEIR CUP WILL SOON FULL TO THE FULLEST , THEY ARE PHAROAHSTIC.

collins

Point of correction Mr writer: Sport Five is a french company and not South Africa.I live here in South Africa and there is no company called sport five here. South Africa broadcasting corporation (SABC) capture each match with high definition camera and broadcast it to sport five in France through satellite . Sport five which CAF gave the broadcast right then sell it to any body that agrees to their terms all over the world . That’s how it operate and stop giving wrong information. So Bon and sport Five could not come into agreement as per price

Andile

Collins you saved us South Africans. Sports Five is a Paris based company not South African company. Blame CAF for your problems. Both Bafana Bafana and Super Eagles are shocking. We must all have a drink to drown our sorrows and will go to church on sunday to pray. no wonder the two industries are booming.

oladeji sarafa adisa

The writer of this article did not know what is saying, nigeria cannot mortigate her country to some selfish people.I surpport Bon federal gorvernment.

TOCHUKWU IGBO

I love you all…..at least we are speaking with one voice….BON……..thank you very much for bringing us together in unity once more

El

The foreigners know Nigerians will always fight their government in situations like this, so they always take advantage of it, because they think Nigeria cannot afford not to pay and get the viewing right even if it was at cut throat, because her citizens will not see reason. I think paying for DSTv or any other setalite station showing the matches makes more sense and of course its been streamed live on supersport.com .

Tony Aneni

PUNCH please communicate to ordinary Nigerians. There is no western press that will ever use this kind of words in the print – LUGUBRIOSITY.

dkinabu

CAF is corrupt and should be probed. Ghana was asked to pay 1.5 million Euros and Nigeria 6 million Euros. What nonsense! Good we didn’t pay. The team that Keshi paraded are complete disgrace. We need fresh legs and good players. Not the present team!

Akin Ogundipe

It makes me feel good today that Nigerians are agreed to back BON to reject this exploitative tendencies of this LCD 2 nonsense or what do they call them. Next time they would relise that our lives do not depend on watching football. The company would have made 3 million euros bpif it had accepted the BON offer but now t has lost that. Fine many Nigerians won’t watch the matches but this would not kill us.
Ghana 1.2 million, South Africa 2 million but Nigeria must pay 6 million. Why? Because they believe we don’t have common sense. The population is not an excuse for the exorbitant fee. You put a TV in one room and just one person view programmes on it and another TV in a hall and 20 persons do the same; does the number of viewers affect the signal strenght or what? Kudos to BON and all reasonable Nigerians.

Akolade Adewunmi

I think this writer is a novice in the psycology of bussiness. How can you encourage payment of such high wage in a three match certainty for the super eagles whose matches would basically induce local adverts ‘tell it not in Gath and publish it not on the pages of Askeleon’ Even if NTA is given such right, most football lovers would still rather show their preferences for viewing centers of DSTV thanks to their visual and coverage quality. Pls always conduct an opinion survey before u write and an arm-chair writer can never be a good analyst.

Fidelity

The money e too plenty.Even if we no watch the match,we dey interested for the goals and the person wey win.To watch the matches sef de bring wory heart.

Johnudoh

The Usual Nigerian hypocrisy on display here, just because you can afford access to cable TV does not give you the right to insult the writer, he wasn’t speaking or writing for you, the writer is speaking for over 150 Million Nigerians that were deprived of the opportunity to watch the games, it is even saddening that some of you who even watched the game had the effontry to condemn the writer without spearing a thought on those whom the writer had in mind. Hypocrisy is is a major malaise in this country, the support of BON would have made mose sense if total blackout of the game was enforced, but not when the games are available on cable channels, many of you idiots wouldn’t understand the disappointments of over 150 Million Nigerians. for me BON’s action was thoughtless,considering the fact that South Africa had nothing to lose whether BON pays for the Broadcast Right or not. Infact its still a win-win situation for them, what one of their company lost is a gain for another of their company, many people whose cable TV subscrition has expired for long will be forced to activate it, while those who are on low premium channels subscription will pay more to migrate to higher premiums in other to have accses to the sports channels. Let us always think right before we open our mouth in this country. The BON Boss who want everyone to believe he is doing Nigeria good will be in his home watching the games on his free cable TV while at the same time depriving over 150 Million Nigerians who solely rely on local TV stations the same access. A VERY BIG SHAME INDEED

Empire

John you are mistaken to claim that the writer was speaking for Nigerians. I bet you the greater number of Nigerians prefer going to the viewing centres even when they can view the matches live on television. So it makes pure economic sense to me that BON refuse to be exploited in this case. It is their loss, not ours.
Besides, the writer’s ascertion that since past sport administrations were wasteful, BON should also be wasteful in this regard is illogical and dumb reasoning at its best.

JACOB

I have not experienced this kind of mess before if I am not miskaing. It is a big shame on FG if such a thing can happen. If FG spend money on this TV view right, it would have hepled to bring Nigerians together again. Many will leave doing evil deeds and focus on watching good football action. Masses are not happy.

Salos

abeg keep quiet, how long is the duration of a match that will stop an evil act? a match extends to 2-2:30mins only, and tha cat can be carried, kindly salute the courage of BON.

Puremind

@uchebest,why cant u keep ur fustration abt super eagles to igboland. A couple of weeks ago igbo were here boasting that the team was biafran super eagles,not nigerian,and u had started dominating nigeria. Let’s keep watching kechi’s biafran team. Igbo’s pride goes before their fall. In fact, this is nt a team for nigeria,it’s a collection of an ethnic association in s/africa. Failure awaits them if they continue this way.

Gbola

If you have listen to AIT Story of the Day last night, in which Dr. Raymond Dokpesi was interviewed, you will know the fraud in the LC2 marketing plan to rip us off. They know Nigeria is corruptly rich and they like to take advantage of our vulnerability. Tomb up to BON for rejecting the proposal. Why should Nigeria pay so much when South Africa is paying less? Should Nigeria pay for the rest of Africa? The Answer is NO. The problem is CAF. There are vested interests in CAF that are stinkingly corrupt. For those who are crying wolves where there is none, remember you pay to watch Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Barcelona, Real Madrid, e.t.c. It is not compulsory that Government pay. Who looses at the end of the day? LC2 & CAF.

mbj

I think writer does not have a clear understanding of the whole issue or he has just decided to make a public display of his mental dwarfness. No single sense in his analysis. When there many sectors of our economy that are dieing we sshould allow a small group to siphone 6m euros in collaboration with Lc2?. Kudos to BON

abiodun

All these so called unifying factor are part of the distraction in the first place. Facebook, twitter, 2go, Idol(Nigeria or foreign), BBM, Football, Games, Pornography etc etc. These are all distractions! That is why students continue failing UTME, WAEC and NECO. What else should we expect when the so called ‘leaders of tomorrow’ are busy with frivolities? FAILURE of course. And Nigeria will continue failing unless we go back to the bases.

Salos

I also salute the courage of BON, such amount is too much for a common viewing right. Super eagles are not worth that amount, much has been spent on them from tax payers money, and from look of things they are about to be kick out of the tournament as usual.

Abu Mateenat

Our ostentious spending habit has for long being exploited by Mulitinational companys in Nigeria.
The telecoms sector has dealt with us, Oil and Gas is still dealing monumental blow us and now Pay TV right is about joining the frail, Chineke!!! say us from blood sucking capitalist.
Even though I saddened we will not watching Afcon matches live.

Onyedika Raymond

€6m is not much for a country as affluent as Nigeria- it can’t be compared with the money our self-centered and corrupt ‘leaders’ loot everyday. I don’t damn South Africa; they probably want to make it crystal clear to the Nigerian cabal government that they’re big for nothing. Shame to this country!

Shelly Adebisi

Thank you for this comment.

Shollp

i don’t think u know the implication of what u’re saying, that the Gov should spend 1.2 billion for us to watch 3 to 6 matches if the eagles win. how can we develop if we continue to spend like that, it is madness, that money will build a refinery or 4th mainland bridge or repair Lagos/Ibadan express we. come on think straight, kudos to BON

LIGHT OF TRUTH

REJECTING THE VIEWING RIGHT OF 6 MILLION EURO (ABOUT 1.2 BILLION NAIRA IS ONE good DECISION I HAVE EVER HEARD IN NIGERIA.

WHY SHOULD WE WASTE THAT AMOUNT TO WATCH A TEAM (SUPER EAGLES) THAT WILL NOT GO BEYONG THE SECONG LEG (AT MOST)

EXAMPLE WAS YESTERDAY EVENING MATCH WITH BURKINA FASO. WHAT A POOR CORDINATION BY THE COACH.

lanre

Punch I think it’s democracy that is making to accept junks from unpopular writer.For God Sake this writer is sick upstairs he need to checked as earlier suggested.Pls see a psychiatrist

Oto peter

This writer has no say at all…BON did the right thing,,6million euros for what? Enough with south africa nonsense…this writer is a disgrace..maybe super sport sent u

Aniekan

Even if BON had agreed to pay the 6 million Euros to get the viewing rights, what is the guarantee that PHCN/NEPA will provide electricity at match time? I agree 100% with BON on this one. This tournament is not worth that amount of expenditure, after all watching foot ball is not an investment, and our current team is anything but entertaining..

Joe Joe

PAT, U HAVE SAID IT ALL. WHEN IT COMES TO PAY MONEY, NIGERIA IS BIG BROTHER. WHEN IT COMES TO OTHER MATTERS, NIGERIA IS A CORRUPT COUNTRY.
I WISH THAT OUR LEADERS CAN RAISE THAT MONEY AND USE IT FOR INVESTMENT SO THAT UNEMPLOYMENT CAN BE REDUCED A BIT. BY THEN, WE WILL NOT LOSE EVERYTHING. IF OUR YOUTHS WILL BE GIVEN JOBS AT THE EXPENSE OF NOT WATCHING LIVE TELECAST OF AFCON MATCHES, IT IS BETTER FOR US.

Disguise

Na Yorubas wey no dey the team cause am. na dem do juju make the team lose. at least after the first round, the nnewi traders cum players will come back and start their trading business again after which Keshi would have fraudulent made his millions. So this is the best Keshi can give us. super eagles ko, super chickens ni…

Amb. Lekzy

While I don’t support the ludicrous right fee, I am equally displeased that the FG led BON would wait till few weeks from the Nations cup before it lauched its bid. We should learn to do the proper things, rightly.

War Saw

Good one from BON. Our life does not depend on football.

Empire

Better live in the present than dwell in the past. 1994 is 2 decades gone. Better be concerned on how to build on what you have at present to achieve glory again.

David Ifewulu

Ethiopia is beaming the competition live to her people without paying anybody a dime. But of-course our government guys are the good guys outside but worst than Anini when back home

Fortee

I think CAF shld come in between & help to checkmate diz high charges. 6mill euros is above 1.1billon naira. The amt is too outrageous. South Africa cannot play on our intelligence.

tundesimpler

It does not matter whether they play well or not even if Nigeria did not qualify we are entitled to watch what is happening in our mother land. This is so as we have access to watch what is going on in another continent UK, Spain and USA. For me I have stopped watching local televison long time ago. Gone were the days when you will have to wait for NTA to open up at 4pm and force to go to sleep at 11pm in the evening. Thanks to AIT and private stations that brought in the “impossibles”. So they told us then. Even our local league is not live programmen si what do you expect in far away South Africa. May God show us the way to progress

Austeen

Bgbem, you’re totally wrong with your analogy. You talk of unavailability of a cancer centre but you forgot to note that even the money budgeted for the so called cancer centre cannot be accounted for. Is it not preferable that instead of embezzling all the money, let it be ‘wasted’ in buying the hosting right that’ll at least have a marginal impact on the average Nigerians instead.

Temi

Mr writer tell me the economic benefit of Nigerians watching that match with 6 million Euro when no Nigeria indigenous company is allowed to make advert. this has thought them a lesson even if it is WORLD CUP we wont watch it. GOD BLESS OUR LEADERS INCLUDING DOKPESI OF AIT

Mike Oyebanji

I honestly think the writer is either ill informed and for that reason is not even supposed to write about what he doesn’t know about or he is a terrible hypocrite. Even the government he is blaming tried to intervene by raising some intervention funds but BON advised against doing that suggesting they pour such money into developing the game itself. If we must criticize, it must be sensible and moral. This activists mentality is having a side effect on some Nigerians as just arguing blindly and flaring up unnecessarily using foul languages is becoming an obvious trend. I suggest you write more credibly next time to retain your credibility.

Myke

It is quite painful that majority of Nigerians may be deprived of the opportunity of watching AFCON from the safety of their living rooms via open TV. This has nothing to do with the huge licensing fee demanded by the French company that holds the broadcast right to AFCON, as BON has tried to portray. Truth however is, Nigerian businesses are still poorly managed and have always failed to deploy appropriate business plan; otherwise, why was an important negotiation of this nature left until last minute to opening of AFCON? I am also not surprised at the refusal of BON & its associates to pay the required license fee. It is common practice for Nigerian businesses, including the ones operated by government to evade payment of taxes; utility bills (ask defunct NITEL and NEPA); and in the case of broadcasting organizations royalties for use of intellectual property products like music and films. The same attitude exhibited by BON have been repeatedly displayed by local cable operators with respect to acquiring rights for rebroadcasting EPL matches from the right holder in the Nigerian territory be it a local or foreign company. The irony of this is that the advert rates of these BON companies are scandalously high. Where are the revenues being ploughed into? Ironically, the CEOs of these BON companies will be those cruising around in bullet proof cars and such other unnecessary luxury. They will rather plough profit of business to pleasure than plough it back to putting the business on a sound pedestal. Its the same in all other sectors of the economy including aviation where government is now putting down funds that would have been better utilized in providing basic amenities for citizens, into buying aircraft for some private companies operating in the aviation sector. You wonder, with the ever increasing airfares, what are the companies doing with their profits? Leave sentiments, and let’s talk business as it should be. Nigerians must learn to plan their affairs and also remain competitive globally. The business of sports marketing is a gloabl thing and cannot be subjected to the business standards of Nigeria. If Ghana pays a lower rate, what we should ask is the indices for such payment and not comparing ourselves to Ghana as we are obviously different in terms of the volume of exploitation of the rights that is possible in Nigeria. It was the same attitude of last minute fire-brigade approach that made a Nigerian company to lose EPL rights which it fought to acquire almost with blood not too long ago and the company now totters on the brink of bankruptcy. When will Nigerian businesses understand the elementary economic theory of demand and supply?

Prince Adebanjo lukman

Is not a matter of super eagles cannot fly, but a matter of what everybody is watching all over d world.. Dat we cant benefit in our country….. Note: this match is playing in africa soil

BBC

AMIDST THIS OBVIOUS MISGOVERNMENT AND INCOMPETENCY,SOME STUPID NIGERIANS THINKS THAT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO AND HIS PDP CRIMINAL COLEAGUES ARE MESSIAHS,AS FOR THAT TEMI GUY,NIGERIA IS RICH ENOUGH TO DO SOME THINGS FOR NATIONAL PRIDE.SHAME ON ALL OUR LEADERS.

ebenezer

Keshi would have been better coaching sunshine or Kano pillars not Super eagles. what a bad coordination!

Ebenezer mayokun

Viewing Afcon is the last need of an average Nigerian. Though we re a football loving nation, we shldnt allow some cabals exploit our Nation. I support BON fully, i am behind ur decision. Let us sacrifice our dinner to have a good breakfast, watching football isnt a index to measure developmnt. If only they could divert this huge amount to something tangible,Nigeria wld be a better place.

Chukwumerije

Whatever anybody may be saying….GOD BLESS BON people, this will be the first decision am happy with in recent times, more of it please.

Bello Abiola Samuel

To ever think that we have a responsive people at the corridors of power, is a mere illusion. They can afford DSTV, they can afford all kinds of bouque, it is left for you masses, to seek for yourself. In this country we provide all things that we used individually, improvise for it, and we keep on moving, no sense of leadership. Well may we continue to groan under this pain but has our groaning moved past our own ears? NOBODY IS LISTENING ANYMORE.

Choosensam

No comments

Hilary Suka Gbarane

I think its high time we look at our economy before wasting valued tax payers money. South african can go to hell with their so called right, Nigerians are used to listening to news and will still be informed on the score line without paying a kobo.

nsien

this writter fumbled in his writeup. first, broadcast right, whether it is for 200million or 1 million people do not vary , the beaming is the same provided it directed to the receptor of such signal. football being a common language in nigeria and nigeria being giant of africa are all fallacy. the south africa, Ghana, etc has more megwatt of electricity better roads. etc and you want to dash them 6million euros for a mere porage go ahead.

Thank God we didn’t waste our money. Who wants to watch a kill joy team in the first place? To hell with Sport 5.

A O Sowunmi

For now,Nigeria should not pay a dime to LC2, rather we should wait for quarter
final if Nigeria qualified and pay them about 50,000 euros as compensation. As per the Super Eagles, there was no confidence in the defense, Ambrose Efe should not have started the match because of the mistakes he made during the friendly against Cape Verde, his replacement at yesterday match against Burkina_ Fasso Omerua should be given opportunity to start as the boy has confidence more than Ambrose Efe.

Owerri

Why paying sponsorship right to any South African co? If all the satellites you sent into orbits can not afford to beam any evens in Africa without hassles to Nigerians after all the huge amount paid to China and Russian space companies, pls let it be a forgone issue. The tournament is just two weeks events, things of this magnitude must be handled souly as giant of Africa. You charged 1.6 million euro to Ghana and Nigeria 6 million who can justify such apathy, at every given opportunity the South Africans will use it to insult Nigeria. It is only Abacha that knows how to handle them as far as governance is concerned.

Snatch

If negotiations are still on-going for this broadcast rights, please BON, we’ve come down from our £3m to £240,000. This is take-or leave-it! I’m sure that LC2 or whatever the names of the franchise owners are, will see a hot law suit from orange and other notable sponsors for shielding their products and services from the huge Nigerian market. I can afford to buy a bottle of heineken at a bar while I watch the match on saterlite TV, the economic sense in this is manifold: I enjoy ice cold bottle of Heineken [James Bond style], raunchy out-door ambience, and ability to watch the match to the end at no extra petrol cost because of PHCN. So you see, at the end of the day, Nigerian economy is the better for it because I have patronized a brother’s business and he is not a dime extra for DSTV charges because he is showing the match. Voila! we are geniuses in this country! LC2, please await your Orange law suit! I wish we get the brief!

Segun Olu

This is d first time that a Nigeria Footbal squad will not hav asingle Yoruba player. All na Igbo, one northerner, few mdi-west. Keshi and nhis brothers can never stop being tribal. Is there no single good Yoruba player?

Don

This writer got it all wrong. We will not die if we don’t watch Afcon 2013 games. We must know when to resist and reject exploitation even if it will cost us something. I totally support BON position on the matter

sylver charles

I have read all the comments and I think some of us are MAD congratulating BON ..well am sorry for you, because BON Directors have DSTV and they can still watch the matches with their happy family in the comfort of their homes…if Ghana about the size of Lagos should pay one point something million euro and you are saying the much you can pay is three million…for Kano and Lagos or for the whole country…..how much did you pay last two years and why must BON start negotiating few days before the tournament??? when all the countries in Africa have negotiated and paid several months ago…the answer is just the normal blackmail approach associated with This rubbish government…like sending a supplementary budget of (N161b )two weeks before the end of 2012 and going to the press to inform the public there will be fuel scarcity if the National assembly fail to approve the budget. Blackmail Approach to everything …well this time fail. …Transformation agenda my foot.

eshin

the writer of this articule to say the least is a moron and ill informed.what more can we say
of a CAFthat has been hijacked by ISSA HAYATTOU? what can we say of the right been
to CAF president own broadcasting company

rufak

Good decision BON if we had paid 6m Euros we would have paid for the same service twice Nigeria has the largest subsriber base of DSTV in Africa. mustwe continue to assist the South African economy for ever? Enough is enough.

Chris

This writer is nt serious, hw can u charge different rates/amounts to countries. If u fixed ur price a 1.5m euros rights let be d same foe all. did u ask hw companies re willing to advertise & also bcos of branding Orange African Cup of Nations, d mobile giants MTN, GLO etc re ready to accept that so who bears this cost if it is paid for at 6m euros?

Segadem

I think this writer is either under pay roll of LC2 or does not have any communication gadgets at his disposal, hence how can some1 advice FG to venture into biz that will neither pay for BON nor any other Tv stations. Bcos i don’t reason why South africa will pay $2m and Ghana said to pay $1.5m and you now expect another country to pay €4.5m or $8m for the same service. I’m very sure if BON had paid the money you will be the first person to come to this media to castigate them. It’s a pity that many of you don’t come or read comment on this forum you would have see your nakedness bcos almost 93% comment here went for BON. If oppourtunity is given to many of those who comment here to have a write-up they would have done better.
Next time when you are writing samples people’s opinion. We are all well INFORMED!

http://howmuch sunday

pls someone shd tell me how much does the Nation;s cup worth? even if super chiken win d trophy remove d T.V right and how much is d balanced

shina

Why would one pay such amount of money for watching football. Tell the writer that watching the Nation Cup is not the main issue facing Nigeria.

aramyd

I am not a football fan but i have some questions to ask.
1. is there any criteria for the fees demanded by LC2
2. was there any money budgeted for this broadcast rights by the nigerian government?
3. when did we start bidding for the so called broadcast right?
Now if we bidded earlier and brought in relevant bodies to intervene in the matter, could things have turned out differently? is there anyoneaccountable to the funds unused in the process of getting the right to broadcast.
what changed btw some years ago when nobody actually knows how this rights are acquired and now.
Will this money actually be used for more meaningful projects or for construction of bouquet halls, vice president’s villa, house of assembly allocations?

who is really benefitting from viewing or not viewing these matches on local tv?

iyeke

it is easy to watch it with your computer , just google ATDHE and click atdhe watch live football Nba tennis, than you will see all aviable match, and click the one you want to watch, under it all station will be there just click anyone, it is free

Shinesunny65

Dstv told starfive to peg the right at 6m euro,that govts love showoff and big bros.

Leonardo

When i was watching the Zambia vs Ethiopia game, they flashed on the TV that Ethiopia was beaming the match ilegally to Ethiopians (without paying for the rights) How did they do it? May Nigeria can do the same!

THIS ARTICLE IS A TRASH!!
Average english men don’t see England match unless you get a satalaite dish. Only commercial interest allows teriterial tvs to beam England match live. BBC haS been out bidded from most National sport events (and it’s public own). This is coming from a country where millions are football mad. Premier league commands 400,000 ticket paying fans weekly. Average cost of season ticket is £600-1300 per year!!

One problem Nigeria has is the ignorant state of the educated ones. No brain, no knowledge. The trend in football is commercial. Gone are the days when govt pays for live broadcasting. If all the private TV channel can’t do the live broadcasting, it means they ‘re been run badly.

Sport in Nigeria has big commercial potential with added advantage of giving hope and employment to the youths. That is what we should focus on not trash like this article that has no purpose than paint government in bad image.

tony are

Agboola@ u are becoming resident ass-ment! ACN cyber thug!

Dunio

In a country where people live on less than a dollar a day, this writer is not ashamed to publish this nonsense. Anybody interested in watching the game should go and pay the viewing centres to watch. At least it would create jobs for the teaming unemployed youths that depend on the viewing centres as a source of living and provide a forum for bonding. Paying 6 million Euros simply implies each Nigerian is charge 4 Euros for the games. It is a rip off and in a country where blackout is the norm of the day, how many Nigerians would have the money to power Generators in the name of football.

Abegi Mr. Writter, tell your sponsors that we Nigerians can adapt to any situation. If your so called Sportfive are not ready to reduce their asking fees, at least we shall listen to the results which is free of charge without any cost and heartbreak. I am sure they least expect BON would call their bluff cos this is business gone bad!!!.

uzon uzon

Great , do continue to adapt well, how long will you continue to adapt, electricity, drinkable, joblessness, security etc

Dunio

In a country where people live on less than a dollar a day, this writer is not ashamed to publish this nonsense. Anybody interested in watching the game should go and pay the viewing centres to watch. At least it would create jobs for the teaming unemployed youths that depend on the viewing centres as a source of living and provide a forum for bonding. Paying 6 million Euros simply implies each Nigerian is charge 0.04 Euros for the games. It is a rip off and in a country where blackout is the norm of the day, how many Nigerians would have the money to power Generators in the name of football.

Abegi Mr. Writter, tell your sponsors that we Nigerians can adapt to any situation. If your so called Sportfive are not ready to reduce their asking fees, at least we shall listen to the results which is free of charge without any cost and heartbreak. I am sure they least expect BON would call their bluff cos this is business gone bad!!!.

Longfem

Am surprised that one of the two Newspaper i read n cherish could stooped so low to the extent of publishing a junk and mal-nulrished story from a poisoned pen like this. (am very shocked). hw on earth will a true Nigerian open his mouth to say Nigeria government should cough out 6 million euros for tv right? can someone please tell me a country in Africa or Europe whose government pay for such right? hw much do they expect to realise from other countries if they want 6 million euros from here? from the information @ my disposal, LC 2 are yet to realize up to 6 million euros from d rights they have sold so far?
I SALUTE BON FOR DAMNING ISSA AYAOUTU AND ADAMU
For the information of some of u that are not in the know, LC 2, is having the son of Issah ayaoutu and adamu (of Nigeria) in the board of directors (quote me any where).
They want to reap Nigeria off!
If u’re a football loving Nigerian find ur way to where u can watch the matches if interested (better still, put on ur radio to hear just d result inother to avoid hypertention).

CAF has become issa ayaoutu property. To hell with him, that may be d reasons d match officials yesterday were bias.

Comrade

I think the writer got it all wrong. First, talking strictly of football been business then govt involvement in it should be limited. And also asking BON members to cough out that much without much prospect of recouping their investment won’t make any economic sense either. Also its not the population of the nation that determine whether the investment will be recouped or not since the individual Nigerian viewers will not be charged but the amount of commercials and sponsors they are able to generate. The crucial parameter to judge if the sponsors will come or not (i.e Super chicken, sorry eagles) is also nothing to write home about.
Nigerian govt have always been doing this big brother stuff for the rest of Africa for a long time but there is nothing to show for it, so if the business community is showing the way to our govt how to deal with the rest of Africa on the basis of fairness and equity, I welcome it.
If this is the sacrifice that we have to pay to stop all these absurdities, so be it afterall, premiership is not shown on terrestrial TV and the followership is unimagineable.

Peace Okhaso

The fact of the case was that some dubious nigerians connived with LC2 to charge BON exorbitantly believing that there would be payment since nigerians are football lovers. Football is money, at 8million Euros, not 6m by your report, how would BON make profit from the deal. The action of BON is commendable, lets see how LC2 will loose 3m Euros already offered by BON. They should know that not every exploitation is allowed to go on in nigeria. As you know, the viewing rights is not a physical product that you can store or preserve. We will not die not watching AFCON 2013.

Giwa Taiwo

Well…………for me o, i can not beat my chest for this so -call super chicken.

Ray

This type of writers are the problem of this country. This same people will tell you govt have no biz doing biz. If 6m euro is right punch shld buy d rights and resell. Tnx govt; next stop paying for religious pilgrimages for those who of course can afford it. @opus u’ on point.

bontus

All i know is that if it were to be nigerian government doing one political thing or the other in south africa, BON will show it to nigerians at any price. god is watching

Chriskurt

wat sort of birth right are you talking about?? if u should own a business, would u invest in a deal where the chances of making profit is very low?? come to think of it, are certian the super eagles of nigeria would qualify for the next round of the tournament?? pls. BON made the right decision… thumb up!!!

Adenike

Interesting how BON has everyone seeing their own story.
Fact: without marketing rights income CAF cannot organise any competition.
Fact: rights are not for AFCON 2013 only but for 9 competitions over two years:
AFCON 2013, The Orange CAF Champions League 2013 & 2014 The Orange CAF Confederation Cup 2013 & 2014 The Orange CAF Super CUP 2013 & 2014 The Orange African Youth Championship 2014 The Orange African Nations Championship 2014
Fact: proportionally to its population and size Nigeria is not paying more than other countries, on the contrary.
Fact: why have we not heard this in previous years? Because LC2 has always lost money in Nigeria due to non respect of their contracts and non payment of their invoices.
Fact: BON could have marketed this competition much better and earlier and made enough income from advertisers. Guaranteed! But they wanted even more margin, same as previous years.
Fact: BON wanted to pay as little as possible to maximise official and unofficial profits.
Fact: 6 million euros is about 7 nairas per person in Nigeria! We cannot afford that? For 3 weeks of entertainment and football passion? Really?
Fact: The real victims are the ones who cannot afford DSTV and such! Yes it is a shame!!
Fact: Nigeria is the only country in Africa that cannot broadcast their own matches! Yes it is a shame!!

Nu’ea

Broadcast rights my foot! BON is right. We don’t need all that charge to watch a tournament. To hell with sports rogue called sports what? At the end of his terms, GEJ will shame his critics with prudent management of scarce resources. Naija please bear it. After all nobody watches local tv stations before now. We’ll miss nothing. At least let the money be given to sanusi to help his boko haram brothers kill more innocent citizens instead Sportswhat?

collins

SHAME OF A WRITER. I DO NOT BUY YOUR IDEAS AT ALL
NIGERIA IS LOSING RECOGNITION IN COMMITTEE OF NATIONS BECAUSE OUR LEADER NEVER THOUGHT IT NECESSARY TO FIGHT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT.
ON THIS ISSUE “WE WILL RATHER MISS NATIONS CUP THAN TO ALLOW OURSELVES BEING TAKING FOR A RIDE AGAIN” I TOTALLY SUPPORT THE MINISTRY, BON AND OTHER BROADCASTING STATIONS IN NIGERIA.
I KNOW YOU ARE THE TYPE THAT CAN SELL YOUR BIRTHRIGHT FOR A MORSEL OF PORRIDGE. SHAME ON U.

Ibadan Pickin

Thank God they no pay. At least they will have more money to embezzle. They have only save us the cost of buying fuel to fuel our generator to watch the matches. Nigerians are reading the comentary on facebook. Wht we need to realize is that they dont need to broadcast it to common man because they want them to buy dstv and other paid stations so they can earn more money for themselves. Nigeria…..giant of Africa

http://tunde.olooto@yahoo.com musa

@ johnudoh God bless u my brother,bravo!

Jimesco

…… till the day of final disgrace, which is inescapable! Haha haha haha Grand Pappy Eagles.

Kaze A

Thumbs up to Nigerians who reason along with BON on this issue. If Nigeria was to pay anything at all, of course they should, then it should be the least. Our population should make things like this cheaper for us. The fact is that all these our foreign friends see Nigeria as a corrupt goldmine where an item selling for R1 in Durban can be sold for equivalent of R50 in Nigeria. Let LC2 and it’s paid journalist go somewhere and wash their faces.

okon

Quite funny that some Nigerians still expect so much creativity from this team, truth is; there are no Jay Jays or Kanu in Super eagles again, so lets make do with the kick & follow, abi cross & nod tactics, lol. Just win your game any how, after all even brazil no dey play samba again!!!

Spokesperson for the Senate Unity Forum, Senator Kabir Marafa, saying his colleagues passed a vote of confidence in Dr. Bukola Saraki’s senate leadership in order to spite President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress leadership.